Prince Buaben wants to stay at Hearts ‘forever’

Prince Buaben: Happy in Gorgie. Picture: SNS

The former Dundee United player penned a 12-month contract in the summer to be reunited with Hearts director of football Craig Levein following spells with Watford and Carlisle United.

Returning to Scottish football appears to have reinvigorated the Ghana internationalist, who left Tannadice in 2011 but failed to make the impact expected south of the border.

The one-time Ajax trainee netted his fourth goal in 15 appearances for Hearts in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Queen of the South and he has proved a major influence on the Gorgie side’s incredible opening to the campaign.

Buaben’s red card in August’s 4-1 win over Falkirk has proved the only real blot on his copybook so far and the player himself has spoken of his satisfaction with life at Tynecastle.

Potential suitors could begin discussions with the 26-year-old in the coming weeks but his agent, Ladi Salami, is understood to have held initial talks with head coach Robbie Neilson following Hearts’ recent 2-0 win over Rangers and Buaben is keen for an agreement to be reached.

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He said: “If it was up to me, I would like to stay here forever. Hopefully I can stay as long as possible.

“I’ve been speaking to the gaffer and he’s happy for me to stay. I’m happy as well. Hearts is a good family club. We are still talking, so hopefully we can get it sorted soon.

“I feel at home here. I’m getting support from the fans, from the manager and from Craig Levein as well. The players have been amazing as well.

“As a footballer, that’s what you want. You want to be somewhere you are happy. Once you’re happy, it brings the best out of you.”

In an eventful return to the starting line-up against Queens following an injury, Buaben missed a first-half penalty before scoring in the second half to ensure Hearts took their unbeaten record in the league to 15 matches.

In an interview with the Edinburgh Evening News, he added: “I knew after I missed that I had to keep my head up.

“The boys were telling me the same thing, just to stay positive and keep going.

“Then I got a goal, which helped. Missing the penalty came right back into my head as soon as I scored and I was so happy and relieved.”

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